Several former BN key leaders claimed that the democratic space within the coalition’s component parties is dwindling, driving them to join newly-formed Angkatan Amanah Merdeka (Amanah) just to be heard.
Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, and former tourism minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir - both from Umno, said the current leadership no longer allows dissident to be heard in the party.
"We still have (confidence in the party) but we chose another space to voice our opinion to the people. There is no room in the party (for dissent)," said Abdul Kadir.
Abdul Kadir said the freedom to dissent against government and party's stand existed in Umno until the administration of its third president Hussein Onn.
His statement was echoed by Razaleigh, who is Amanah founding chairperson, "for me, there is no (room in the party)."
Both veteran politicians then cited the Umno annual general meeting (AGM) as an example.
They claimed that the delegates and their speeches must be approved by the party leadership before they can speak at the AGM.
"Therefore the voice from the bottom is not heard," said Razaleigh.
"We work hard to hold the AGM but only talk about sweet things. We might as well just write them down," quipped Abdul Kadir, who is one of the six deputy presidents of Amanah.
Another deputy president, former MCA president and Pandan MP Ong Tee Keat, added that being a BN MP does not deny his right to join an NGO.
They stressed that Amanah is an independent NGO that voices the concerns of the people, even if they are against the current administration.
The trio, together with former MIC deputy president S Subramaniam, were present at a press conference held this afternoon at Razaleigh’s residence in Kuala Lumpur to announce the Registrar of Society's approval of Amanah’s establishment.
[More to follow]
Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, and former tourism minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir - both from Umno, said the current leadership no longer allows dissident to be heard in the party.
"We still have (confidence in the party) but we chose another space to voice our opinion to the people. There is no room in the party (for dissent)," said Abdul Kadir.
Abdul Kadir said the freedom to dissent against government and party's stand existed in Umno until the administration of its third president Hussein Onn.
His statement was echoed by Razaleigh, who is Amanah founding chairperson, "for me, there is no (room in the party)."
Both veteran politicians then cited the Umno annual general meeting (AGM) as an example.
They claimed that the delegates and their speeches must be approved by the party leadership before they can speak at the AGM.
"Therefore the voice from the bottom is not heard," said Razaleigh.
"We work hard to hold the AGM but only talk about sweet things. We might as well just write them down," quipped Abdul Kadir, who is one of the six deputy presidents of Amanah.
Another deputy president, former MCA president and Pandan MP Ong Tee Keat, added that being a BN MP does not deny his right to join an NGO.
They stressed that Amanah is an independent NGO that voices the concerns of the people, even if they are against the current administration.
The trio, together with former MIC deputy president S Subramaniam, were present at a press conference held this afternoon at Razaleigh’s residence in Kuala Lumpur to announce the Registrar of Society's approval of Amanah’s establishment.
[More to follow]
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